My mother, who is almost two years old now, gave me these lessons the day I left the nest. I still remember her words when I began to flap my wings and fly for the first time. She taught me where to find the sweetest flowers and to avoid cats, to be aware of bees and to twirl in the air. But I think these lessons I’m about to tell you are the ones that have helped me the most.
Be light. We can barely afford to lift our own weight, so make sure to carry the essential with you. Don’t worry, you don’t really need all that stuff that’s weighing you down. You will find everything you need in your way.
Be nimble, be small. It is a dangerous world out there. We have obstacles to avoid, predators we must flee. Being small will improve your chances of survival. Being fast will get you the best feeding spots.
Be observant. Look at your surroundings. Identify threats, lookout spots, food, water, shelter. Learn from your environment. You can’t afford to ignore what’s happening around you. Travel as far and wide as you can, as you next home might be closer than you think.
Be fierce. Defend your territory as the nectar is very limited, specially in winter. Learn to fight and to intimidate, bu also learn to pick your fights and when to give up, because your energy is too precious to waste it on an unforgiving world.
And finally, be colorful. Sing, smell the flowers, and don’t forget to preen those feathers, because sometimes you need to forget all your problems and bring some of your light to the world.